New Jersey Devils star Timo Meier was among three players head coach Lindy Ruff stapled to the bench for the third period of Monday's 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers.
Meier, along with Curtis Lazar and John Marino, only played one shift in the final stanza. Ruff said it was his decision to not play the trio, but pointed to Meier's lack of discipline during the game as a reason he didn't see the ice.
"Can't take the penalties he took," Ruff said after the contest.
Meier was assessed two tripping minors in a span of 4:18 during the second period. He finished with one shot in 11:29 of ice time and is now pointless through three regular-season games after signing an eight-year, $70.4-million extension over the summer.
While Meier is the most notable name that Ruff sat, the coach was adamant that the loss wasn't due to a single player.
"We need more out of a lot of guys," Ruff said. "This isn't about one guy. When we start the game, there's 18 guys that are playing. We need more out of our group."
Meier responded to his benching on Tuesday.
"I knew what happened. Me and Lindy talked," he said, per team beat reporter Sam Kasan. "We both have the same view. (Things) happen. The sun came up again this morning. It's a new day. You go out and work as hard as you can.
"What's in the past is in the past. You look forward."
The Devils surrendered the first four goals in Monday's contest before their late comeback effort fell short. New Jersey is now 1-1-1 on the year with its next game coming Friday against the New York Islanders.
